Hmong Australian brothers won 2018 IFBB Body Builder gold medals

It is the first time that Hmong Australian community won the Australian Professional League of International Federation of Body builder award in Australia.

Jason and Kashia with IFBB medal-Captivating Image-Nick Northcoat Photography Source: Nick Northcoat Photography

The two Hmong brothers, Jason Vue and Kashia Vue has participated the Australian Professional League of International Federation of Body Builder in three different locations especially in Cairns, Townsville and Gold Coast and have won different awards.

Mr. Kashia Vue said that he and his brother has already started preparing early this year for season B competition which will be held during September to October 2018 or at the end of the year whereas season A is the competition at the beginning of the year every year.

Jason Vue and his brother Kashia Vue with their Australian Professional League of International Federation Body Builder (IFBB) season B 2018-Kashia Vue Source: Courtesy of Kashia Vue

They have found a coach to train them on how to train, what to eat and how much should they eat. Mr. Vue said that they have to change their diets and their training every day, every week in order to change weight accordingly up to 6months to current date.

Mr. Kashia Vue said that he and his brother has already spent 6-7 years in the gym to get their body ready but after going to gym which you have to spend your own money and time to get fit, you cannot just get into body building competition and hope to win. Therefore body builder coach is needed to help them train how to show their bodies.

"I want to take pride in my body, see the beauty of my body, I don't want to just overeat and get overweight like others in my community," said Kashia Vue.

Body builder contestants and their medal from Australia IFBB competition 2018 season B-Kashia Vue Source: Courtesy of Kashia Vue

But both of them went to three different competition. The first one is in Cairns. Kashia Vue came second (Silver medal) and Jason got gold and then he went on to the overall show and also score gold medal.

For the competition in Townsville, Jason got in to body weights under 90 kilograms category and he got gold. Kashia Vue competed in body builder weights category under 80 kilograms and he also achieved gold medal. They also went on to novice which is first time competition in body builder, Jason Vue also won gold and Kashia came third. This wins made them qualified for the overall and all of the overall compete for the overall and Jason has won again in Townsville.

Watch a clip of the body builder show here: https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSBSHmong%2Fvideos%2F327734894653424%2F&show_text=0&width=560

Jason Vue and Kashia Vue with their Australian IFBB medals-Courtesy of Kashia Vue Source: Courtesy of Kashia Vue

Mr. Kashia said that it is very challenging to get into this type of sports due to you as a sport person has to eat differently, you have to sleep early, you are not allow to consume alcohol, no party, and not eating meat. So your daily routine will simply be going to work, came back home, go to gym and then go to sleep. " It is too hard, yeah," said Mr. Vue.

Kashia recommended to anyone who want to get into this body building sport that, "we should start slowly and work our way up, and don't rush because body building is not a race, it takes time in years to perfect your muscle groups."

Australian IFBB competition 2018-Kashia Vue Source: Courtesy of Kashia Vue

Mr. Kashia Vue said that he felt very proud that their hard work has paid off for all the early start and late night finish as they have won so many medal and Jason has also won some prize money that would cover some of their costs.

Mr. Kashia Vue told SBS that he wanted to see how far can a Hmong person can do in this competition. They also try this body builder in Gold Coast but their body let them down compare to those of Australians who enter this competition, however, Kashia has also end up with gold medal while Jason has won third in the new division in classic physique, novice short and third in classic physique open short. There is still the Arnold body competition in Melbourne that they should compete but they are too exhausted to continue so the competition ended there.

Australia IFBB competition 2018-Kashia Vue Source: Courtesy of Kashia Vue

In regard to sporting funds to support this type of sports, Mr. Vue said that it is out of personal pocket and there are no subsidizing from Australian sports funds unless you entered competition and you won then if you are lucky you might get sponsoring.

Australia IFBB competition 2018-Kashia Vue Source: Courtesy of Kashia Vue

So what is the future hold for Mr. Kashia and his brother Jason Vue?

Mr. Kashia said that they might prepare them for next year competition if it is possible to do so.

But now, Mr. Kashia said that at this moment, they will take a break and coming down to Melbourne to enjoy foods and spend time with their families.

Australia IFBB competition 2018-Kashia Vue Source: Courtesy of Kashia Vue

Mr. Vue said that for his future plan, "he wants to come back bigger, stronger and better and work on the weaknesses in 2020."

Australia IFBB 2018-Kashia Vue Source: Courtesy of Kashia Vue

Mr. Kashia Vue said Hmong communities around the world that "if you really want to tap into this type of sport, you should give a shot, even though our genetic are not there but we can bring it up and show the world what we have."

Body Builder side show - Kashia Vue Source: Courtesy of Kashia Vue

Body builder backshow-Captivating Visuals-Nick NorthCoat Photography-Courtesy of Kashia Vue Source: Courtesy of Kashia Vue

Listen to SBS Radio Hmong Program on Thursday 6 pm AEST and Sunday 11 am AEST or follow us, like, comment, share and subscribe at SBS Hmong Facebook page or download our podcasts. or listen to Stitcher.